Boresighter trainer for gun

ABSTRACT

A boresighter/trainer fits into a distal end of a gun barrel and includes a sound sensor, a circuit, a laser, and a power source. The boresighter/trainer has at least two operational modes: one in which it continuously emits laser light and one in which it emits laser light for a short duration when the sound of a firing pin is detected. When in its first mode, the boresighter/trainer permits laser light to be projected along the longitudinal axis of a gun barrel in which it is portioned, for the purpose of aligning a sight on the firearm. When the boresighter/trainer is in its second mode and the firing pin of the gun is activated, the sound of the firing pin is detected by the sound sensor and activates a circuit in the boresighter/trainer to cause the light source to emit light along the longitudinal axis of the firearm barrel. The boresighter/trainer may have multiple bore adapters that fit different firearm bore diameters.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application incorporates by reference, to the extent they are notinconsistent with this disclosure, the disclosures of: U.S. Pat. No.9,170,079 entitled LASER TRAINER CARTRIDGE and U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,947entitled AXIS ALIGNMENT APPARATUS.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a firearm boresighter that may be usedto align a gun barrel with a sight on the gun; and also used for firearmtraining, without requiring live ammunition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional firearm training can be dangerous, expensive (consideringthe prices for ammunition and replacement targets) and can only beperformed in certain areas, such as shooting ranges. The presentinvention(s) allows firearm training to be performed safely,inexpensively, and almost anywhere without the use of live ammunition.Additionally, the present invention(s) is also a boresighter thatfunctions to align the bore of a firearm barrel with a sight on thefirearm. Until now, trainers and boresighters have been differentproducts, requiring the owner of a firearm to purchase at least twoseparate products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A laser boresighter/trainer (or just boresighter/trainer) is configuredto fit inside the end of a barrel (or bore) of a firearm. Aboresighter/trainer according to aspects of the invention can beactivated to emit laser light that indicates where a bullet fired fromthe firearm would strike. The emitted light projects the longitudinalaxis of the firearm barrel in which the boresighter/trainer ispositioned. It can be used to align a gun's sights with the bore'slongitudinal axis. It can also be used to provide realistic firearmstraining, preferably allowing a user to practice tap, rack, bang and/ormalfunction drills. The boresighter/trainer can be configured to operatewith several firearm calibers.

The boresighter/trainer comprises a body (which can be a one-piece bodyor a multiple-piece body). The body is elongated along an axis that isaligned with the longitudinal axis of the firearm bore when theboresighter/trainer is positioned in the gun bore. The body has aproximal end in which the laser is mounted and that remains outside ofthe firearm bore, and a distal end that is inserted into the firearmbore. Between the distal end and proximal end is a seating portion toform a first contact area with the inner surface of the firearm barrelat its distal end (which is the end farthest from a user and from wherea fired bullet exits the barrel).

A bore adapter is attached to the distal end of the boresighter/trainer,and the bore adaptor is inserted into the gun barrel. The adapter has anoutside diameter that forms a second contact area with the inner surfaceof the gun barrel. The first contact area and second contact areaposition and substantially center the boresighter/trainer in the firearmbarrel, such that the body axis of the boresighter/trainer issubstantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the firearm barrel.

The boresighter/trainer has at least two modes. In a first mode, thelaser is on constantly so a user can align a sight (such as an opticalscope or mechanical sight) with a laser light emitted byboresighter/trainer. In this manner, the sight can be aligned with thelongitudinal axis of the firearm barrel. In a second mode, theboresighter/trainer emits laser light for a short duration when it isactivated by the sound of the firearm firing pin striking. Theboresighter/trainer may also have a third mode in which it is turned off

Utilizing a boresighter/trainer, the owner of a firearm need purchaseonly one product to (1) align a sight with the firearm barrel, and (2)train using laser light instead of live ammunition. Further, dealerscould potentially reduce their inventory of products because only asingle product is required for firearm bore alignment and firearmtraining.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are side-views illustrating a boresighter/traineraccording to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the boresighter/trainer of FIG. 1A and 1B mounted inthe end of a gun barrel.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the variable diameter feature of theboresighter/trainer.

FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of a boresighter/trainer according toaspects of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plurality of different-sized bore adapters.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are partial cross-sectional views of theboresighter/trainer of FIGS. 1A and 1B, depicting the first cylindricalcavity.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the switch of FIG. 6B.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the body of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a boresighter/trainer according to aspects ofthe invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the boresighter/trainer of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10A is an end view of the distal end of the boresighter/trainer ofFIGS. 9-10.

FIG. 10B is an end view of the proximal end of the boresighter/trainershown in FIGS. 9-10.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the boresighter/trainer ofFIGS. 9-10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the Figures, where the purpose is to describe preferredembodiments of the invention and not to limit same. FIGS. 1A and 1B areside-views illustrating the present invention boresighter/trainer. Theboresighter/trainer 10 includes a laser, mounted so that its beam isaligned along the axis 14 of the boresighter/trainer tool. Theboresighter/trainer is positioned in a gun barrel 1 so its axis 14 issubstantially aligned with axis 36 of the gun barrel.

The boresighter/trainer 10 may be configured to operate in conjunctionwith firearms of essentially any desired caliber. In certainembodiments, boresighter/trainer 10 is configured to fit a firearmhaving a caliber of 9 mm, .32 cal, .38 cal, .40 cal., .44 cal., .45cal., or .50 cal., and many other bore sizes—particularly bore sizes forrifles. The boresighter/trainer 10 is configured to be positioned in theend of the barrel (or bore) of essentially any desired firearm having abarrel long enough to receive the boresighter/trainer. Theboresighter/trainer is most preferably used in the barrel of a rifle,although it may also be used in other firearms. The Laserboresighter/trainer preferably fits barrels with a caliber of .22 to .50caliber and preferably fits barrels 2 ½ inches or longer. When in theboresighter mode it is more likely to be used in a rifle, whereas intraining mode it is more likely used in a pistol. However, it could beused in any suitable firearm in either the boresighter or training mode.

Boresighter/trainer 10 comprises a body 12 with a generally elongatedshape along a body axis 14. The body 12 has a proximal end 16 and adistal end 18. At the proximal end 16 the body surface has a firstdiameter 20, while at the distal end 18 there is a second diameter 22which is less that the first diameter 20. Between the proximal end 16and distal end 18 is a seating area 24. As shown, seating area 24 is atapered portion of body 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates the boresighter/trainer of FIG. 1A or 1B mounted in agun bore, the longitudinal axis of which is projected when theboresighter/trainer emits laser light. The seating portion 24 is taperedto form a first, contact region 26, received in a gun barrel. As shown,the seating portion 24 is a tapered outer surface of body 12. When end16 is pushed into the bore of a gun, the tapered 24 eventually seatsagainst the wall of the gun bore at the distal end of the gun. Potion 24fits many bore diameters, from bores having an inside diameter as shownat numeral 28 to slightly less that the first diameter 20 (see FIGS. 1Aand 1B).

Turning again to FIGS. 1A and 1B, boresighter/trainer 10 also comprisesa bore adapter 30, which is attached to the distal end 18. Bore adapter30 is preferably made out of a flexible material such as plastic orrubber. Bore adapter 30 has an adapter diameter 32. As shown in FIG. 2,the bore adapter 30 forms a second, contact area 34 with the bore'sinside wall 28. The first contact region 26 and the second contact area34 position and center boresighter/trainer 10 in the gun barrel andalign body axis 12 with the bore longitudinal axis 36.

FIG. 1A shows an aspect of the boresighter/trainer wherein distal end 18is a conically shaped part of body 12. FIG. 1B illustrates a slightlydifferent aspect of the boresighter/trainer in which a conical shape isspecifically formed into bore adapter 30. Distal end 18 may have a smallchamfer to interface with the internal cone shape of the bore adapter 30of FIG. 1B. Once the bore adapter 30 of FIG. 1B is mounted on body 12,the boresighter/trainer of FIG. 1B functions the same as theboresighter/trainer of FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the variable diameter 32 feature of the boreadapter 30. The same size bore adapter 30 is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B,and the diameter 32 in FIG. 3B is greater than in FIG. 3A. Bore adapter30 may include deformable fingers, such as fingers 38 and 40. Althoughonly two fingers are shown in these figures, and four fingers are shownin other figures, the boresighter/trainer is not limited to a specificnumber of fingers, or to using fingers. Any deformable structure thatwould fit into a gun barrel and pressure fit against the inside wall ofthe barrel could be used. For example, the bore adapter may be acylindrical tube wherein its center expands when its two ends arecompressed.

As shown best in FIG. 2, the bore adapter fingers 38 and 40 overlie thedistal end 18. A fastener, such as screw 42, which is used to attachbore adapter 30 to distal end 18, may be tightened so screw head 44presses against bore adapter 30 and forces it against distal end 18. Theforce causes deformation of fingers 38 and 40, which causes the fingersto expand and diameter 32 to increase as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Thus,the fingers 38 and 40 are splayed in response to the force and to formthe desired adapter diameter 32 for an interference fit inside of aparticular diameter gun barrel.

In some aspects, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the distal end 18 seconddiameter 22 is tapered, with a smaller diameter at the extreme distalend 18.

FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of bore adapter 30. In this embodiment,bore adapter 30 shown in FIG. 4 has four fingers, fingers 38, 40, 46,and 48. The bore adapter 30 also includes a ring 50, or a similarstructure, to accept a fastener, such as screw 42 (not shown), in a hole52. The fingers 38, 40, 46, and 48 are axially disposed and attached toring 50. In other aspects not shown, the ring 50 is only slightly largerthan the screw hole 52, and the fingers, where attached, are notperpendicular, but are more gradually bent into a position perpendicularto the ring 50.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plurality of differently sized bore adapters 30. Inorder to cover a wide range of inside bore diameters it may be practicalto provide a plurality of different-sized bore adapters 30, all of whichhave a respective, different nominal adapter diameter 32. The adaptordiameter of each adaptor 30 can be varied, such as with an adjustment ofscrew 42, as discussed above and shown, for example, in FIGS. 3A and 3B.A user would select a bore adapter 30 with a diameter 32 thatapproximately conforms with, and is slightly smaller than, the insidebore diameter of the firearm with which the boresighter/trainer 10 willbe used. The nominal diameter 32 of an adapter 30 can then be modified,such as with screw 42, for a proper fit inside of the firearm bore.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are partial cross-sectional illustrations of theboresighter/trainer 10 of FIG. 1A or 1B, depicting a first cavity 60.FIG. 6A shows the first cavity 60 without components, while FIG. 6Bshows the first cavity 60 with components. The first cavity 60 as shownhas an axis that is aligned with body axis 12, and cavity 60 is locatedbetween the proximal end 16 and the seating portion 24 (see FIG. 1A). Asshown in FIG. 6B, the first cavity 60 houses a light source 62,typically a laser, an electrically conductive spring 64, and a switch66, which as shown is a rotary switch, although any switch can be used.The light source 62 is mounted in the housing so that it need not beremoved to change batteries or to make adjustments to its alignment.Light source 62 emits a beam of light along the body axis 12. Switch 66as shown is rotated to selectively connect the light source 62 to apower source. As is explained below, the spring keeps switch 66 in aposition, either on or off, and provides an electrical path to the laserlight 62. As shown in FIG. 1A, body 12 as shown includes a channel 70formed between the body surface and the first cavity 60 to expose theswitch 66. The switch 66 can be accessed to move it from one position toanother through channel 70.

Also shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the body proximal end 16 includes asecond cavity 68 connected to the first cavity 60. The second cavity 68as shown is aligned with body axis 12 to form an opening from which alight beam is projected.

The first cavity 60 has a cavity diameter 72 (FIG. 6A). The switch 66 isa cylinder with a switch diameter 74 (see FIG. 6B), which is less thanthe cavity diameter 72, so that switch 66 may rotate. Switch 66 as shownhas an axis substantially aligned along the body axis 12. Switch 66 canbe rotated to selectively connect the power source 110 to the lightsource 62.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the switch 66. The switch 66has a top, or first, outside surface 80. Surface 80 as shown is disposedaround switch axis 82. The first surface 80 has a conductive area 84. Aconductive rod 84 is specifically shown, but other conductive structurescould be used. The first surface 80 also includes a cam 86.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the body 12 of FIG. 6A. Thefirst cavity 60 has a second surface 88 which interfaces with the switchfirst surface 80 (shown in FIG. 7), which in this embodiment is radiallydisposed around body axis 12. Second surface 88 includes a secondconductive area 90. An electrical connection is made between the body 12and the switch 66 when the second conductive area 90 interfaces with thefirst conductive area 84 (FIG. 7). The second surface 88 also includes achannel, or recessed area 92, shown as the area in the exterior ringthat is not double cross-hatched. When channel 92 receives switch cam86, an electrical connection is made between first conductive area 84and second conductive area 90. The conductive areas are not limited toany special shape or placement on the surface for operation. Forexample, the conductive areas can be centered around the axis. When cam86 is not in channel 92, the first surface 80 and second surface 88 areforced apart, and no electrical connection is made. The shapes of cam 86and channel 92 are not limited merely to the depicted example.

Returning to FIG. 7, switch 66 has a third outside surface 100 disposed(as shown in this embodiment) around the switch axis 82, having a thirdconductive area 101. If the switch 66 operates as a passive electricalconductor, the third conductive area 101 can be a conductive rod, suchas the depicted first conductive area 84. In some aspects as disclosed,the conductive rod passes all the way through switch 66 from the firstsurface 90 to the third surface 100. Alternately, the switch can be ametal, such as aluminum, which is anodized or coated with an insulator,except for areas on first surface 80 and third surface 100 that act asconductive areas 84 and 101, so that switch 66 acts as a conductor. Asexplained below, switch 66 may act as a battery housing in some aspectsof the invention, and the third conductive area can be considered thebattery terminal, the spring 64, or the combination of battery andspring 64.

Returning to FIG. 6B, the first cavity 60 has a fourth surface 102disposed around the body axis 12, having a fourth conductive area, whichis not shown. The fourth surface can be a part of body 12, as is thesecond surface 88 (as shown in FIG. 8). However, as depicted in FIG. 6Bthe fourth surface is actually the light source 62 electrical terminal.Also as shown, the electrically conductive spring 64 is substantiallyaligned along the body axis 12 between the third surface 100 and fourthsurface 102. Therefore, when switch 66 is “on,” with the cam 86 beingengaged with channel 92, the second conductive area 90 is connected tothe fourth conductive area 102 through the switch 66 and spring 64.

In some aspects of the invention the power source 110 is housedelsewhere in the body 12 (not shown). The switch 66 acts as aselectively engagable conductor that completes an electrical circuitbetween the second conductive area 90 and fourth surface area 102, whichis also conductive, from power source 110 to the light source 62, withthe return ground path from light source 62 being through theelectrically conductant body 12. Switch 66 may be removed throughchannel 70.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, a power source 110 is a plurality ofbatteries in battery cavity 112. The power source 110 has a firstpolarity (+) connected to the switch's first conductive area 84 and asecond polarity (+) connected to the switch's third conductive area 101.In some aspects of the invention an axial plug 114, with a center holeto admit spring 64, seals the end of battery cavity 112. The batteriesare preferably insulated from the body of the boresighter/trainer 10 bya mylar sleeve 21. The laser module 62 may be of any suitable size,shape, and configuration, and may emit light of any desired shape,intensity, and color.

In one embodiment, the boresighter/trainer has a power source 100 thatis three 377-type batteries, or three V393/SR754W, or equivalentbatteries to provide power to a circuit 8, which may utilize 4-4.5 V. Inthis embodiment, the batteries provide enough power for approximately3,000 emissions of laser light that simulate the location of where abullet being fired would strike.

As shown in FIG. 2, when boresighter/trainer 10 is positioned in thebarrel of a firearm, proximal end 16 and the portion of body 12 thatincludes laser module 6, power source 110, and switch 66 are outside ofthe gun barrel so they may be accessed by a user.

Using known methods of making circuitry, with an appropriate circuit,the switch 66 may have two or three positions, and theboresighter/trainer could operates differently in each position. In apreferred embodiment, the switch has a first position in which theboresighter/trainer 10 has a first operating mode (or mode). In thefirst mode, the boresighter/trainer is constantly on, and can be used toalign the bore of the firearm in which boresighter/trainer 10 ispositioned with a sight of the firearm.

Switch 66 has a second position that causes boresighter/trainer 10 tooperate in a second mode. In the second mode, boresighter/trainer 10emits a burst of laser light when it detects the sound of the firing pinof the firearm striking for a time of about 100 milliseconds, althoughany suitable time can be used, such as any duration between 0.05 and0.20 seconds. Or, laser 62 may be illuminated for between about 7.5milliseconds (ms) to about 12.5 ms per shot, i.e., each time the soundof the firing pin striking activates boresighter/trainer 10. Theboresighter/trainer 10 can be used for rack, bang or malfunctiontraining drills when in the second mode. The disclosure of U.S.Publication No. 2016/0161220, entitled Master Module Light Source andTrainer, to Moore et al. and published on Jun. 9, 2016 is incorporatedherein by reference to the extent it is not inconsistent with thisapplication. Paragraphs [0072]-[0075] and FIGS. 36-38 of U.S.Publication No. 2016/0161220 in particular disclose a structure andcircuitry for detecting the sound of a firing pin and activating a lasermodule in response.

Switch 66 may also have a third position in which boresighter/trainer 10has a third mode in which it is off. In this embodiment, the circuitry(not shown) is implemented using a printed circuit board. Alternateembodiments of the invention may utilize any other suitable circuit tocause the laser module 62 to illuminate.

In some embodiments, the boresighter/trainer 10 may be configured toproduce a sound (e.g., a gunshot sound) when in the second mode and thefiring pin strikes the backer. The boresighter/trainer may include aspeaker or any other suitable device to produce a sound, and may produceany desired sound.

Having thus described some embodiments of the invention, othervariations and embodiments that do not depart from the spirit of theinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. The scope ofthe present invention is thus not limited to any particular embodiment,but is instead set forth in the appended claims and the legalequivalents thereof. Unless expressly stated in the written descriptionor claims, the steps of any method recited in the claims may beperformed in any order capable of yielding the desired result.

1. A boresighter/trainer configured for use in a gun having a gun barrel with a first end having a firing chamber and a second end, the boresighter/trainer comprising: (a) a body having an axis, a proximal end, a distal end configured to be inserted into the second end of the gun barrel, and a seating portion between the proximal end and the distal end, the seating portion configured to form a first contact area with an inner surface of the gun barrel; (b) a bore adapter attached to the distal end, the bore adaptor having a variable adapter diameter and configured to form a second contact area with the inner surface of the gun barrel; (c) a light source in the housing to emit a light beam aligned with the body axis; (d) a power source, (e) a sensor to detect the sound of a firing pin strike of the gun, and to activate a circuit in response, wherein when the circuit is activated, the power source provides power to the light source and the light source emits light; and (f) a switch, wherein the switch has a first position in which the boresighter/trainer is in a first mode whereby it constantly emits light, and the switch has a second position₇ in which the boresighter/trainer is in a second mode whereby it emits light for a short duration when the sensor detects the sound of the firing pin strike.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The boresighter/trainer of claim 1, wherein the circuit includes a capacitor.
 4. The boresighter/trainer of claim 1, wherein the bore adapter includes deformable members defining the variable adapter diameter, wherein the deformable members deform in response to force applied by the fastener.
 5. The boresighter/trainer of claim 1 wherein the power source is one or more batteries.
 6. The boresighter/trainer of claim 5 that includes three batteries.
 7. The boresighter/trainer of claim 1, wherein the light source is a laser.
 8. The boresighter/trainer of claim 7, wherein the laser is activated for between about 7.5 to about 12.5 milliseconds, or about 0.1 seconds, when the circuit is activated.
 9. The boresighter/trainer of claim 1, wherein the circuit is a 4.5 V system.
 10. The boresighter/trainer of claim 1 that is dimensioned to be received in either a 9 mm, .32 caliber, .38 caliber, .40 caliber, .44 caliber, .45 caliber or .50 caliber gun.
 11. The boresighter/trainer of claim 1, wherein the body has an surface with a first diameter at the proximal end and a second diameter less than the first diameter at the distal end, and wherein the seating portion is a tapered section of an outer surface of the body.
 12. The boresighter/trainer of claim 1, wherein the bore adapter diameter is variable.
 13. The boresighter/trainer of claim 1, wherein the body distal end is tapered and the bore adapter deforming members overly the distal end, and are configured to splay and move outward from the distal end when force is applied to them by the fastener.
 14. The boresighter/trainer of claim 7 further comprising a switch to selectively connect the power source to the light source.
 15. The boresighter/trainer of claim 1, wherein the body includes a first cavity having an axis aligned with the body axis, and the first cavity houses the light source.
 16. The boresighter/trainer of claim 15 that includes a second cavity adjacent the first cavity, wherein the switch and power source are in the second cavity.
 17. The boresighter/trainer of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the body includes an opening from which the light source beam is projected.
 18. The boresighter/trainer of claim 18, wherein the switch has a third position, and when the switch is in its third position the boresighter/trainer is in a third mode in which it is off.
 19. The boresighter/trainer of claim 1, wherein the body is one piece.
 20. A kit comprising the boresighter/trainer of claim 1 and one or more additional bore adaptors, wherein each of the one or more additional bore adaptors is configured to fit different-sized firearm barrels.
 21. The kit of claim 20 that includes bore adaptors to fit firearms having the following bore sizes: 9 mm, .32 cal, .38 cal, .40 cal., .44 cal., .45 cal, or .50 cal.
 22. The boresighter/trainer of claim 1 that further includes a fastener attaching the bore adapter to the distal end, the fastener configured to apply force to the bore adapter. 